The Heart of the Arcane

VEXA,

    Feet aching and a wounded side, yeah that's how Vexa usually started any mission of hers she got up to. But this time, her feet felt like they were going to fall off. This time, she wasn't sure if she was going to make it back to the grove.

   "Get her boys!! She can't have gotten far!" Vexa was startled from the voices, they sounded so close. Crossing the rickety bridge and sliding through some bushes she landed perfectly hidden from the goblins.

    "Hells.. they don't give up." She whispered to herself as she checked her wound, it was already beginning to fester. Ripping fabric from her sleeve she covered the wound as much as she could.

     "Hello? Anybody there?" Vexa jumped in fear, her eyes darted in the direction of the voice. Peeking through the bushes she sees a black hole, swirling with purple magic.

    "I could use some help! I heard you." Gathering herself, she walked over to the curiosity slowly. Nothing but a hand was poking out. Draped in what seemed of wizards fabric.

     Vexa thought for a moment, on one hand she could really use some help, on the other hand.. she has no clue who this person is. Letting out a sigh, she held out her hand as she eased the magic with a Druid spell. "Whatever you're doing is working wonders! A quick tug should do fine now!"

     Grabbing a hold of the arm she pulled them rather easily out of the black hole. Slowly, the crackles of black and purple dissipated. Stood in front of her was a masculine build with shaggy brown hair. Her heart flickered in excitement, it's been a while since someone had caught Vexa's eye.

     "Thank the gods!" The man took a hold of Vexa's hand and shook it swiftly. She was taken back, no one has ever been so eager to touch her before. People see a tiefling, and they see a monster. So here she is today, a Druid tiefling, in such high hopes.

     "Gale of Waterdeep, pleasure to meet you." He smiled at her gleefully. "Vexa Hellfire, glad to help." She spoke confidently. She wasn't sure what to think of him, by his clothes she was for certain he was a wizard.

    The pair stood next to one another quietly for a moment, and just as Vexa was about to speak her mind begins to twist. Their eyes contented with each other as anguish crossed their faces.

    Vexa was getting a glimpse into his head, she was looking through Gale's eyes seeing a mind flayer walk over towards him holding a tadpole. Her head winced as she held her head for comfort.

    Quickly, the pain disappeared from both of them. Gale was catching his breath when Vexa looked at him in Bewilderment. "You were on the nautiloid?" She questions with quickly as she held her side.

   "So we share the same predicament I see." She noticed his eyes dart at her side then back her face. "Gives the situation I believe a party is In store?" Gale asks Vexa as she composed herself.

    Her head turned to the side as her head went wild with thoughts. A party? No one has ever wanted to be in a party with her before. Gale is so welcoming and it was driving her crazy.

    All Vexa could do was give him a simple nod. Dusting themselves off of dust they began to walk together. Moments pass and they stayed silent, Vexa was indeed someone who loved to talk but she wasn't sure now.

    Leaving the roadside cliffs they slowly got closer to the grove. Suddenly, they hear someone shuffling along in the dirt. Vexa puts her arm out in front of Gale and puts a finger to her lips. Steadily they walked around the corner of the mountain and saw a man looking into the bushes.

    "Help! One of those little monsters are in there! You can kill it can't you!" The man yelped as he pleaded with them. His white curled hair moved in the breeze as Vexa examined him entirely. "You look capable, why can't you kill it?" Gale questions him as he crossed his arms. Something was off, the way the man held himself was beginning to freak Vexa out.

   "Why I- I figured I'd get a helping hand." Gale grabs her by the wrist gently and pulls her back the other way. The mysterious man grabbed Vexa and pulled her to the ground holding a silver dagger to her throat.

    "Why you little shit!" Vexa cursed at the man. He sneered in her face, "This is going to be so much fun! I saw you, you were on the ship!" He held Vexa down with all his strength while she wiggled beneath him.

    Swallowing hard she placed her arms up against his moving her head to the right. Using her upper body, she pushed him away from her as she rolled away. Quickly she got to her feet and slammed her foot down onto his chest.

     Suddenly your mind begins to twist, you're looking out of unfamiliar eyes. Prowling dark and busy streets. You try to hold the memory, but it fades to the worm. The light. The fear.

     Suddenly the two of them are looking with distant and fare eyes. Vexa removes her foot from him as he coughs standing up. "What was that? What's going on?" The man shuffled in fear, holding his forehead.

    Vexa sighed, "It's the mindflayer. It's connected us." He composed himself as he caught his breath. "Yes the worm, that explains things.. somewhat." The man chuckles and puts his dagger back on his side.

    "And to think I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards, apologies." Gale pulled Vexa over to him steadily, still unsure of the person. "I might've done the same, if roles reversed. Don't worry." Vexa told him as she stood tall.

   "The names Astarion. I was in Baldur's gate when those beasts snatched me." Vexa crossed her arms as she stayed close to Gale. She could sense he was worried about how this might play out but Vexa had no worries.

    Since getting the stupid tadpole, she has had to adjust her way of thinking. "Would you mind joining our party? Us tadpoles should stick together." Slightly hearing a groan from Gale, she chose to ignore it.

    "You know, I was ready to go this alone, but maybe sticking with the herd isn't such a bad idea."